Article of clothing with attachable fidget toy

ABSTRACT

Articles of clothing with attachable fidget toys/tools, and methods of production thereof, are provided. The article of clothing may include at least one textile area and at least one device attached to the textile area at a grommet or eyelet. The device may be a fidget toy or sensory tool attached to the grommet or eyelet with a fastener.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to articles of clothing, and moreparticularly, articles of clothing with attachable fidget toys.

BACKGROUND ART

In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control reported that approximately 1in 54 children in the United States is diagnosed with an autism spectrumdisorder (“ASD”). Autism, or ASD, refers to a broad range of conditionscharacterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors,speech, and nonverbal communication. ASD is often accompanied by sensorysensitivities, medical issues, and challenges such as anxiety,depression, and attention issues. It has been shown that fidget toys andsimilar sensory stimulation tools improve productivity and decreasestress and anxiety for people diagnosed with an ASD. In fact, a studyfrom Friendshipcircle.org showed the writing scores of an Autistic classincreased to 83% from 73% when using stress balls.

Fidget toys and similar sensory stimulation tools are typically small insize and can be easily lost. Therefore, there exists an unmet need for asolution to make such toys and tools available but also easilyretainable. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides for articles ofclothing that are attachable to fidget toys and sensory stimulationtools.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides various embodiments of an article ofclothing. The article of clothing includes at least one textile area andat least one device attached to the at least one the textile area at agrommet or eyelet extending through the at least one textile area.

In some embodiments, the at least one device is attached with afastener. In further embodiments, the fastener is a clamping device. Infurther embodiments, the clamping device is a carabiner.

In some embodiments, the article is one of a shirt, a pair of pants,sweatpants, a pair of gloves, a belt, headgear, a scarf, wrist band, ajacket or coat, a hoodie, a sweat shirt, long-sleeve shirt, T-shirt,socks, a sweater, a bandana, a bathing suit, a purse or a backpack. Infurther embodiments, the headgear is one of a hat, a cap, a headband, ora beanie.

In some embodiments, the at least one device is a sensory stimulationtool. In some embodiments, the at least one device is a fidget toy. Insome embodiments, the article further includes multiple grommets oreyelets extending through the at least one textile area. In someembodiments, the article is a shirt and wherein the grommet or eyelet islocated proximate to a bottom edge of the article of clothing.

In some embodiments, the article further includes a second textile area.In further embodiments, the article further includes a grommet or eyeletextending through the second textile area and a second device. Thesecond device may be attached to the second textile area at the grommetor eyelet extending through the second textile area. The article may bea hoodie and the textile area (e.g., the first or second textile area)may be a pocket of the hoodie.

In accordance with further embodiments, a method for attaching a deviceto an article of clothing may include selecting an article of clothinghaving at least one textile area and inserting at least one grommet oreyelet into the at least one textile area of the article of clothingsuch that the grommet or eyelet extends through the at least one textilearea. The method may also include attaching at least one device to theat least one textile area at the grommet or eyelet to secure the atleast one device to the article of clothing.

In some embodiments, attaching the at least one device may includeattaching the at least one device with a fastener (e.g., a clampingdevice). The article may be a shirt, a pair of pants, sweatpants, a pairof gloves, a belt, headgear (e.g., a hat, cap, beanie, headband, and thelike), a scarf, wrist band, a jacket or coat, a hoodie, a sweat shirt,long-sleeve shirt, T-shirt, socks, a sweater, a bandana, a bathing suit,a purse or a backpack. The at least one device may be a sensorystimulation tool or a fidget toy.

In accordance with additional embodiments, inserting at least onegrommet or eyelet includes inserting multiple grommets or eyeletsextending through the at least one textile area. Additionally oralternatively, the article of clothing may have a second textile area.In such embodiments, the method may also include (1) inserting a grommetor eyelet extending through the second textile area, and (2) attaching asecond device to the second textile area at the grommet or eyeletextending through the second textile area.

It may be understood that both the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only andare not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understoodby reference to the following detailed description, taken with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows an article of clothing with an exemplaryfidget toy detached, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the article of clothing of FIG. 1 with theexemplary fidget toy attached, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method of attaching a fidget toy orsensory tool to an article of clothing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to certain exemplary embodimentsaccording to the present disclosure, certain examples of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the samereference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like parts.

In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unlessspecifically stated otherwise. In this application, the use of “or”means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term“including”, as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included”,is not limiting. Similarly, the use of the term “comprising,” as well asother forms, such as “comprises,” is also not limiting. Any rangedescribed herein will be understood to include the endpoints and allvalues between the endpoints.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.All documents, or portions of documents, cited in this application,including but not limited to patents, patent applications, articles,books, and treatises, are hereby expressly incorporated by reference intheir entirety for any purpose.

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide an article ofclothing (e.g., a T-shirt) with an interchangeable and customizablefidget toy or sensory tool that may be attached to and/or detached fromthe article of clothing. Once attached the fidget toy/tool may allow thewearer to utilize the fidget toy/tool which, in turn, helps the wearerconcentrate, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase productivity andassists with sensory-related issues.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the article of clothing 100 may be a T-shirt(e.g., a 50% cotton and 50% polyester Gildan® T shirt). In otherembodiments, the article of clothing 100 may be a shirt, pair of pants,sweatpants, a pair of gloves, a belt, headgear (e.g., a hat, cap,beanie, headband, and the like), a scarf, wrist band, a jacket or coat,a hoodie, a sweat shirt, long-sleeve shirt, T-shirt, socks, a sweater, abandana, a bathing suit, a purse or a backpack, to name but a few.

A grommet and/or eyelet 110 may be located on the article of clothing100. The grommet and/or eyelet 110 may extend through the textilematerial of the article of clothing 100. In embodiments where thearticle of clothing 100 is a T-shirt, a grommet and/or eyelet 110 may belocated proximate to a bottom edge of the shirt. It should also be notedthat in some embodiments, the location of the grommet/eyelet 110 and/orthe fidget toys/tools 120 may vary (e.g., it may not be located on thebottom edge of the article of clothing 100). For example, in someembodiments, the grommet/eyelet 110 may be located on the right side ofthe article of clothing 100 or the sleeve or pant leg of the article ofclothing 100, to name but a few locations. Additionally oralternatively, if the article of clothing is a hoodie, pants, or a shirtwith a pocket, the grommet may be located on the pocket of the hoodie,pants or shirt. In such embodiments, the fidget toy/tool 120 may beoriented such that it is located inside the pocket of the hoodie, pantsor shirt, or such that the fidget toy/tool 120 is located outside of thepocket when attached to the hoodie, pants or shirt. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 1, the grommet and/or eyelet 110 is located near thebottom left side of the shirt 100.

The grommet and/or eyelet 110 may be any conventional grommet and/oreyelet. An exemplary grommet/eyelet may be a Pinty® 1000 Grommet+1000Washer with a nickel finish, #2 size, ⅜″ eyelet. As discussed in greaterdetail below, the grommet/eyelet 110 allows the fidget toy/tool 120 tobe attached to the article of clothing 100 and helps prevent thematerial of the article of clothing 100 from fraying or tearing wherethe fidget toy/tool 120 is attached. The grommet/eyelet 110 may beinstalled into the article of clothing 100 using a QWORK® Hand PressHeavy Duty Eyelet Grommet Machine, or similar device.

In some embodiments, the grommet/eyelet 110 may be sized to receive akeyring attached to the fidget toy/tool 120. Additionally oralternatively, the grommet/eyelet 110 may be sized to receive afastener, for example a carabiner.

Various embodiments of the present invention can use any type ofappropriate fidget toy/tool 120, including, but not limited to, aJuvale® Soccer Ball Keychain Mini Foam Balls sold by Juvo+®, 8 PcsRaised Eyes Doll Anti Stress Ball Vent Animal Keychain Squeezing Toyssold by SO GRATITUDE STORE®, Coral Entertainments® Squishies, AmericanFood Squishy Toys (Hot Dog, Hamburger, French Fries, Donut & Ice Cream),Slow Rising Squeeze Scented Charms, Stress Relief Toy with Key-ChainsMisc. sold by Coral Entertainments®, OHill Emoji Plush Pillows MiniKeychain sold by OHill Direct®, Born2Calm® ADHD Fidget Toys Stress andAnxiety Relief Silent Sensory Fidgets for Classroom as Fidgets SensoryToys for Kids with Carrying Pouch sold by Born2Calm®.

The fidget toy/tool 120 may be secured to the article of clothing 100 atthe grommet/eyelet 110 using a fastener 130. In some embodiments, thefastener 130 may be a clamping device. In further embodiments, thefastener 130 may be a carabiner (e.g., 1.85″/4.7 CM Aluminum Carabinerswith a Nickel Metal Key Ring that is a Lightweight D Shape KeychainClip).

In some embodiments, the fidget toy/tool 120 may be attached to akeychain ring and the fastener 130 may be passed through the keychainring and then the grommet/eyelet 110 within the article of clothing 100.In alternative embodiments, the fastener 130 may first be attached tothe grommet/eyelet 110 and the fidget toy/tool 120 may be attached tothe fastener 130. The fastener 130 secures the fidget toy/tool 120 tothe article of clothing 100 to prevent the fidget toy/tool 120 frombecoming lost. The fastener 130 also allows the fidget toy/tool 120 toalways be accessible for the wearer. Additionally, if the wearer wishesto change the fidget toy/tool 120 that is attached to the article ofclothing 100, they may detach the fastener 130 from the article ofclothing 100, remove the fidget toy/tool 120 from the fastener (e.g., besliding the keychain ring of the fidget toy/tool 120 off of the fastener130), attach a new fidget toy/tool 120 to the fastener 130 and thenreattach the fastener 130 to the article of clothing 100.

Some embodiments may include more than one fidget toy/tool 120 locatedon the article of clothing 100. For example the article of clothing 100may include one fidget toy/tool 120 located on the left side, one fidgettoy/tool 120 located on the right side, and/or one fidget toy/tool 120located on a sleeve or pant leg. Furthermore, some embodiments may havemultiple types of fidget toys/tools 120 located on the article ofclothing 100 (e.g., the left side may include a fidget spinner and theright side may include a stress ball).

FIG. 3 depicts a method of attaching a fidget toy or sensory tool to anarticle of clothing. The method begins at Step 310 by selecting anarticle of clothing. The article of clothing may be a shirt, pair ofpants, sweatpants, a pair of gloves, a belt, headgear (e.g., a hat, cap,beanie, headband, and the like), a scarf, wrist band, a jacket or coat,a hoodie, a sweat shirt, long-sleeve shirt, T-shirt, socks, a sweater, abandana, a bathing suit, a purse, or a backpack, to name but a few.

Next at Step 320, a grommet or eyelet is inserted in a textile area ofthe article of clothing. The grommet and/or eyelet may be inserted witha QWORK® Hand Press Heavy Duty Eyelet Grommet Machine, or similardevice. In some embodiments, the grommet and/or eyelet may be insertedproximate to a bottom edge of the article of clothing. For example, insome embodiments, the grommet/eyelet may be located on the right and/orleft side of the bottom of an article of clothing, or the sleeve or pantleg of the article of clothing. Additionally or alternatively,additional grommets or eyelets may be inserted into other textile areasof the article of clothing. For example, a second grommet or eyelet maybe inserted into a second textile area of the article of clothing.

Next at Step 330, a fidget toy or sensory tool is attached to thegrommet or eyelet. In some embodiments, the fidget toy/tool includes akeyring and the keyring is attached to the grommet/eyelet. In someembodiments, the fidget toy/tool is attached to the grommet/eyelet witha fastener. If the article of clothing has a second textile area with agrommet or eyelet, a second fidget toy or sensory tool may be attachedto the second grommet.

In some embodiments, before Step 330, a fastener, for example acarabiner, may be attached to the fidget toy/tool of the grommet/eyelet.In such embodiments, Step 330 includes attaching a fastener previouslyattached to the fidget toy/tool to the grommet/eyelet, or attaching afastener previously attached to the grommet/eyelet to a fidget toy/tool.

It should be noted that, although the above describes the grommet/eyeletbeing inserted into an article of clothing and the fidget toy/sensorytool attached to the article of clothing, other embodiments of thepresent invention may attach the fidget toy/sensory tool to other,non-clothing items. For example, the grommet/eyelet and the fidgettoy/sensory tool may be inserted into/attached to bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, or any other item that may provide a benefit toan individual with an ASD if it were to have a fidget toy/sensory toolattached to it.

It should also be noted that any of the lists and/or examples providedabove are meant to only provide some examples of the clothing, textiles,non-clothing items, and fidget toys/sensory tools. Other embodiments mayutilize different types of clothing, different textiles, differentnon-clothing items and/or different fidget toys/sensory tools.Similarly, the exemplary grommet/eyelet 110, fastener 120, and handpress discussed above are merely provided as examples, and other typesof grommets/eyelets, fasteners, and hand presses may be used. Forexample, some embodiments may use different size grommets/eyelets andfasteners, different style grommets/eyelets and fasteners, and/orgrommets/eyelets and fasteners made from different materials.Additionally, any type device may be used to insert the grommets/eyelets110 into the clothing, textile, and/or non-clothing items.

Furthermore, it should be noted that other embodiments of the presentinvention need not utilize a grommet or eyelet to attach the fidgettoys/sensory tools. For example, a hole may be made within the textilearea of the article and the fidget toys/sensory tools may be attacheddirectly at the hole. In such embodiments and to prevent fraying at thehole, a seam may be added around the opening/hole, the opening of thewhole may be sewn along the edge, or another material (e.g., additionaltextile material, a plastic or rubber material) may be placed around theopening of the hole

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to bemerely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparentto those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications areintended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined inany appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of clothing, comprising: at least onetextile area; and at least one device attached to the at least one thetextile area at a grommet or eyelet extending through the at least onetextile area.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one deviceis attached with a fastener.
 3. The article of claim 2, wherein thefastener is a clamping device.
 4. The article of claim 3, wherein theclamping device is a carabiner.
 5. The article of claim 1, wherein thearticle is at least one selected from the group consisting of a shirt, apair of pants, sweatpants, a pair of gloves, a belt, headgear, a scarf,wrist band a jacket or coat, a hoodie, a sweat shirt, long-sleeve shirt,T-shirt, socks, a sweater, a bandana, a bathing suit, a purse, or abackpack.
 6. The article of claim 5, wherein the headgear is at leastone selected from the group consisting of a hat, a headband, a cap, or abeanie.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein the at least one device is asensory stimulation tool.
 8. The article of claim 1, wherein the atleast one device is a fidget toy.
 9. The article of claim 1, comprisingmultiple grommets or eyelets extending through the at least one textilearea.
 10. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is a shirt andwherein the grommet or eyelet is located proximate to a bottom edge ofthe article of clothing.
 11. The article of claim 1, further comprisinga second textile area.
 12. The article of claim 11, further comprising:a grommet or eyelet extending through the second textile area; and asecond device attached to the second textile area at the grommet oreyelet extending through the second textile area.
 13. The article ofclaim 1, wherein the article is a hoodie and the at least one textilearea is a pocket of the hoodie.
 14. A method for attaching a device toan article of clothing comprising: selecting an article of clothing, thearticle of clothing having at least one textile area; inserting at leastone grommet or eyelet into the at least one textile area of the articleof clothing such that the grommet or eyelet extends through the at leastone textile area; and attaching at least one device to the at least onetextile area at the grommet or eyelet, thereby securing the at least onedevice to the article of clothing.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinattaching the at least one device includes attaching the at least onedevice with a fastener.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the fasteneris a clamping device.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the article isat least one selected from the group consisting of a shirt, a pair ofpants, sweatpants, a pair of gloves, a belt, headgear, a scarf, wristband, a jacket or coat, a hoodie, a sweat shirt, long-sleeve shirt,T-shirt, socks, a sweater, a bandana, a bathing suit, a purse, or abackpack.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one device isa sensory stimulation tool or a fidget toy.
 19. The method of claim 14,wherein inserting at least one grommet or eyelet includes insertingmultiple grommets or eyelets extending through the at least one textilearea.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the article of clothingincludes a second textile area, the method further comprising: insertingat least one grommet or eyelet into the second textile area of thearticle of clothing such that the grommet or eyelet extends through thesecond textile area; and attaching a second device to the second textilearea at the grommet or eyelet extending through the second textile area.